Suzuki Alto 2010 News

The leaked images are from a brochure for the Maruti Celerio, the replacement for the Maruti A-Star nameplate the Alto wears in the Indian market.The car is being unveiled tomorrow at the Indian Auto Expo in New Delhi, but the brochure has been leaked online by Autoportal, showing the exterior and also specification for the new car.The five-door hatchback gets fresher looks, and has grown in some directions: the 1600mm width is the same but the 3600mm length is up 100mm, the 1560mm height is up 90mm and the 2425 wheelbase is 65mm longer.The brochure describes the newcomer as a five-seater, but with the width not having increased, it's likely Australian cars will continue as four-seaters. However luggage capacity looks to have increased from the current 110 litres to 235 litres.But not much has changed under the skin. The new car is powered by the Alto's carryover a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine,  developing 50kW and 90Nm with the options of either a five-speed manual and an automatic transmission.This will be the fourth generation of the Alto to arrive in Australia, and while local cars often add more than the spec lists of the Indian versions, the brochure shows features include wing mirrors with turn indicators (not currently on our Alto).This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

Suzuki has recalled 13,216 Alto models from 2009 onwards for a heating system fault. The recall notice says the Alto’s heater blower motor may jam, causing the resistor fuse to overheat and cut out, preventing the heater from working.Suzuki Australia initially announced 10,187 Altos sold from 2009 until now will be recalled. However, Suzuki Queensland operates as a separate entity, and has only joined the recall overnight, adding 3029 cars to the tally.However not all the cars sold during that period – totalling 14,660 -- are affected, with 1444 being exempt from the recall. “It is only particular VIN (vehicle identification numbers) during that period, and we are in the process of identifying which ones,” Suzuki spokesman Andrew Ellis says. "The faulty resistors were in particular batches, while other batches were fine."The defect is not considered to be a safety risk, and Suzuki says there have been no reports of related incidents, injuries or fires. “It’s a minor recall – the fault simply means you won’t have heating in the car.  There have been no reports of fires anywhere in the world,” Ellis says. "However, it's a safety recall because it can affect the demister, and visibility is a safety issue."Suzuki says the fix will take 30 minutes, and involve the replacement of the existing resistor. “The parts are in transit now and the campaign is about to start in earnest,” Ellis says.

He is - or was - Hirotaka Ono - a visionary who re-invented the Japanese brand and changed everything, from boosting the quality of its cars to creating the can-do attitude among senior managers that's essential for the success of any car company. Ono had a giant advantage because he was married to the daughter of company founder, Osama Suzuki.He was able to use his family connection to ramrod a range of changes which would have been impossible for anyone else, especially a 40-something revolutionary in a country which usually puts age and experience ahead of youth and enthusiasm. Even so, he still had to walk the walk on everything from design and driving enjoyment to bottom-line financial deals.The award winning Suzuki Swift is an Ono car, so too is the current Grand Vitara, as well as the Kizashi. His track record also includes the less-successful second-generation XL7, thankfully only sold in the USA, but everyone makes an occasional mistake. Ono died too early at the end of 2007, but not before he inspired the cars coming through Suzuki today and forecast the global financial crisis - as well as planning the way his company would react to the challenge."Thanks to Mr Ono we have learned what we can do. He inspired us," says Tak Hayasaki, managing director of Suzuki Australia. Hayasaki has his own challenges in trying to lift Suzuki's share of Australia's annual car sales from its current 2.4 per cent to around six per cent, but he knows he has the strongest lineup in the company's history.The Alto is too small for a lot of people, but a $12,990 driveway bottom line makes plenty of sense with six airbags, ABS and ESP, as well as alloy wheels. The Swift is getting very old but is still a good car, the Grand Vitara is a safe choice and the SX4 does a good enough job.Kizashi is the game-changer for Suzuki, the same as the first Mazda6 and Accord Euro were for Mazda and Honda, combining Euro-type driving enjoyment with Japanese quality.This week the company is adding an all-wheel drive car to the Kizashi line, the Sports, and believes it can boost its sales by 100 cars a month. That's 50 per cent of the current volume. It's a big call for a car which already goes head-to-head with Mazda6 and Euro and now faces up to the might of the Subaru Liberty, the car that convinced Australians about all-wheel drive.As he looks forward, with a new Swift before the end of the year - not   that you would pick it as all-new from pictures - Hayasaki knows where the credit goes. "I have to thankyou to Mr Ono for what he has given us. He proved that we can do it."

Suzuki boss, Tony Devers, wants it ramped up to make it more attractive to motorists."If you look at some of the countries in Europe, they had incentives of up to 5000 Euros ($7200)," he says. "The amount should really be higher. I don't think $2000 is enough to get people into these cars. It's very limiting."Devers, who has been campaigning for a similar scheme for the past 12 months, says the $2000 would disadvantage the very people it is designed to help. Many people driving around in pre-1995 vehicles may not be in a position to afford a new car, he says.Under the Gillard scheme owners of vehicles older than 25 years will be offered a $2000 rebate to switch to new, more fuel efficient vehicles. But Devers says there is little detail from the Labor Party on what constitutes a 'low-emission, fuel-efficient vehicle'."We need to see a list of eligible vehicles," he says. "At present it is lacking in detail."Gillard's rebate scheme has received lukewarm support from the car industry. Although the peak body representing the Australian automotive industry, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, has thrown its weight behind it, chief executive, Andrew McKellar, admits it is light on detail. He says it needs to be evaluated 'on a stand-alone basis'."Obviously we would need to look at the detail," McKellar says.McKellar accepts that critics will call for more effective incentives and tax breaks, rather than a $2000 rebate, to get people into greener cars."If the object is to look at what the range of policy initiatives in relation to emissions can be, then there are obviously a wide range of options and opportunities," he says. He rejects the idea that it is purely an election stunt. "We are in an election campaign, so it would be expected that there will be policies and commitments and things that will come out of left field," he says. "And this is one of those."Suzuki's Devers has been vocal in his push for a scrappage scheme. Last year he was instrumental in pushing a 'first-buyers' car scheme similar to the first homeowners' grant. It is one option he would like to see on the Labor agenda. "I still think that is viable," he says.Devers believes the Government also needs to clearly outline its green car policy, rather than reward local manufacturers for building green cars. "Where is their green car policy?" he says. "If their fair dinkum give incentives across the board."Compared to other countries and even some emerging Asian Tigers, Australia has one of the oldest carparks in the Western world. According to ABS statistics, the average age of cars in Australia is 9.9 years, with 20 per cent of registered vehicles built before 1994.However, this is still higher than other countries such as the United States (9.4 years), Europe (8 years) and Japan (6.2 years). Currently there are two million pre-1995 vehicles on Australian roads.  McKellar says many do not meet today's environmental and safety standards."A key part of any strategy to reduce carbon emissions from road transport must address the impact older cars have on the environment," he says.The FCAI also supports a bid to develop a regulated carbon dioxide emission standard for new light vehicles."The industry is confident we will reach agreement with any incoming government on the detailed structure of a new standard, including ways to recognise the uptake of emerging low emission technologies and alternative fuels," McKellar says.

Shod with new low rolling-resistance tyres, the Alto’s fuel consumption has dropped to 4.7 litres per 100km with the manual transmission, a reduction of 0.1 litre. The tyres have also reduced the bowser burn for the automatic version, which has dropped 3.9 per cent to 5.3L/100km. Suzuki says the figures are particularly impressive, given the price, because from $12,490 the Alto is nearly a third of the price of any hybrid on the Australian market. And the new fuel figures – coupled with stronger supply -- should help the Alto have a bumper sales month in July, says Suzuki Australia spokesman Andrew Ellis. “We were a bit hamstrung the month before distribution-wise” Ellis says.  “But we’re expecting our best month yet for July.

Suzuki Australia and tyre supplier Goodyear were quick to repond after reports from concerned owners over problems sourcing replacement rubber for the Alto's 14-inch rims.  A shipment of 155/65R14 tyres arrived on April 28 and another 120 tyres are due this week.Suzuki Australia spokesman, Andrew Ellis, admitted there was a shortfall of spare tyres in the country.  "The issue is that we are changing over to a new tyre, an eco version, and the shortfall has happened in the changeover," Ellis says.If any owners still have problems with replacements Suzuki will supply a wheel and tyre from one of its own vehicles.  The new low rolling resistence "eco" tyre, similar to the one fitted to the Ford Fiesta EcoNetic, delivers marginally better fuel economy.Ellis says with the new tyres fitted, the 50kW three-cylinder Alto's combined fuel economy drops .1 of a litre to 4.7 litres/100km.  Apart from the Swift, the Alto is one of the company's success stories.  Demand has exceeded supply but the company expects more shipments soon.Despite the Alto's success, the five-year old Swift is still the company's most consistent seller.  A new, larger Swift is in the pipeline for launch next year.It is expected to be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in September.  In Europe a range of petrol and diesel engines are planned, from a 1.3-, 1.5- and 1.6-litre petrol fours to a Fiat-sourced 1.3 common-rail diesel.

Just as things are calming after Toyota's eight-million-vehicle mistakes in the USA and Europe, Mazda is hit with a 90,000-car recall in Japan and China.Australia has again dodged the recall, which only applies to a specific model of the Mazda3 not sold here, but things are looking tougher for even the world's most-admired brands. "The Mazda3 is not affected in Australia," says company spokesman Steve Maciver. "It's only the 1.6-litre engine, which we do not get here."But Toyota Australia was forced to recall the latest Prius hybrid for tweaking of the braking system; elderly Daihatsus have been recalled - ironically, under the Toyota banner; and Great Wall was forced to recall the first batch of its Chinese twin-cab utes to rectify a seat belt problem.Even Suzuki, which has one of the lowest warranty-claim rates in the country, was forced to recall the baby Alto because of a problem with wiring to the stoplights. Suzuki Australia is still sourcing a replacement stoplamp switch and will contact owners.Then there is Toyota USA, which is hit with another cloud over the Lexus GS460. It's a heavyweight SUV which is built up from the Prado and, thanks to an unsafe rating by the influential magazine 'Consumer Reports', sales have been stopped while the company conducts safety tests. It is responding to claims the car can develop a tail slide, leading to a rollover, in an emergency situation. Once again, Toyota Australia is responding with a 'no panic' reply."The Lexus GX460 is not and has never been sold in Australia. Toyota Motor Corporation Japan has advised us that Prado is not affected by the sales stop. It has a smaller engine and significantly less weight overall, particularly over the front wheels, says Toyota and Lexus spokesman, Mike Breen. Toyota is even putting a positive spin on the Lexus development."This is firm evidence of Toyota’s stated intention to respond even more quickly to ensure quality and customer satisfaction. It shows that Toyota is taking the matter seriously and are determined to identify and correct the issue that was identified," Breen says. "Having done that, Toyota Motor Corporation has adopted its normal approach of conducting further tests on other SUVs. These vehicles have already undergone extensive testing and Toyota is confident they meet its high safety standards. Toyota is therefore conducting these tests as an additional measure to ensure customer confidence."And it's not just cheap-and-cheerful car brands that get caught up in recalls. Ferrari is also suffering after recalling more than 2000 of its F355 model fitted with a single fuel pump system and sold in the 1990s. Ferrari says it will be contacting known owners so their cars can be checked for a problem with the fuel system pipes.Porsche, meanwhile, plans to recall 152 of its all-new Panamera flagship, which sells from $270,000 to $365,000. They have to be checked for faulty seatbelt mounting points.

His views have the support of the peak motoring body the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.  About 30 importers in the FCAI importers group believe consumers have a right to be rewarded for going green. "It's got to be a reward basis but what those rewards are I don't know," Devers says. "It could be cheaper stamp duty or free parking in the city. If the Federal Government is keen about the environment and promoting green cars they need to show it." Devers acknowledges that he has a vested interest in the debate with the company's Alto light car being one of the lowest emitters of harmful C02 gases. "But we really need to open the discussion on this," he says. "We really need a benchmark, whether it's on fuel efficiency or emissions... perhaps anything under 130g/km in CO2 emissions." Devers also argues that Australian motorists are being denied some of the newer fuels available in Europe that lower emissions. "All this has to be put on the table and thrashed out," he says. The FCAI chief executive, Andrew McKellar, says the group is working through that process now. "We know other governments around the world use incentives and we need to look at that," he says.  The importers' push comes as the FCAI revealed this week that the average carbon dioxide emissions of Australia vehicles is now the lowest on record. The FCAI says improved engine technology has helped cut the average CO2 emissions.  The 2009 National Average Carbon Emission figure is 218.5 grams of CO2 per kilometre, down 1.8 per cent compared to the 2008 figure of 222.4 grams of CO2/km. All new cars, off-roaders, light commercials and buses up to 3.5 tonne are used to calculate the NACE figure.  The FCAI's original target was to reduce emissions from new vehicles from an average 252.4g/km in 2002 to 222g/km by the end of this year.  McKellar says the FCAI is now focused on achieving further reductions by 2015 and 2020.

As importers rush to slashed prices and pass on the 5 per cent import tariff drop others are putting more equipment into their cars.

Car companies are about to be put to the test in the Global Green Challenge and Carsguide is going along for the ride. There are two key buzz words in today's world of clean, green motoring: more and less.Car buyers, pricked by an environmental consciousness, are driving demand for better efficiency to reduce the impact on their wallet and less emissions to reduce the impact on the environment.And there's an added caveat to this quest for green sustainability: it has to be affordable without robbing the family car of performance or driveability.Welcome to the challenge facing car designers as they chase motoring's holy grail — producing a workable, green friendly car for the future. A bookmark of just where the industry is at will be on display at the end of the month when the Eco Challenge for production cars, run in conjunction with this year's Global Green Challenge, sets out from Darwin on October 24 and heads south to Adelaide.It will be real-world 3000 kilometre reality check, albeit most of the driving will be on highways, to show buyers what more-for-less cars are available now, or the near future.This week car companies have been jostling as they line up for the starting grid — some have still to fully show their hand but organisers say 21 cars are expected to contest the Eco Challenge while a further 38 dedicated solar-powered cars will also follow the same route the following day in their own race.This year's production car field is an eclectic mix.Hyundai Hyundai is using the Global Challenge to launch its 2010 Santa Fe wagon, promising more power and reduced fuel consumption which will attract caravan owners looking for an alternative to heavier 4WDs.Hyundai's Team R has entered two Santa Fes, one of which will be driven by CarsGuide. The wagon gets Hyundai's new R turbo diesel and a new six-speed manual transmission along with a recalibrated suspension and steering package for our tougher road conditions. A six-speed automatic will be optional. The Santa Fe goes on sale at the end of the year.Skoda Skoda will use the event to showcase its new flagship, the Superb saloon. Skoda says the 2-litre direct injection turbo diesel is capable of 5.4l/100km on the highway, meaning you can marry luxury with economy.Suzuki will use the event to showcase the ability of the tiny Alto, which the carmaker claims can travel 100 kilometres on just 3.5 litres of precious fuel on the highway. Tests in India have already shown it can do better at 3l/100km.The car is being kept on the road by a team of apprentice automotive engineers from the Melbourne's Kangan Batman TAFE college.Holden Holden and Ford will be fighting each other in the Challenge. Holden had been tipped to show of a Commodore, which like Saab, can run on 85 per cent ethanol, or a diesel, but the General will instead showcase its recently launched 3-litre Omega Sportwagon, fitted with the new SIDI (Spark Ignition Direct Injection) engine and six-speed automatic transmission.Holden won't reveal what fuel economy goal it is aiming for but it maintains the SIDI is now the most fuel efficient Aussie-built six-cylinder in the market. Holden says the engine, rated at 9.3l/10km is 13 per cent more fuel efficient than the previous motor at 10.7l/10km.Ford Ford will come out fighting with an XR6 Turbo and a Fiesta Econetic which will be launched in November and has the potential to run at 3.7l/100km. Again, Ford won’t talk about economy goals.BMW BMW is another keeping its cards close to its chest until closer to race. It will have a fleet of three diesel Mini Ds, one of which is will be driven by former Le Mans winner Vern Schuppan. The 1.6-litre Mini diesel is capable of 3.9l/100km combined and 3.5l/100km on the highway.Tesla While all eyes will be on the known brands, one entry which will likely steal the limelight will be the all electric Tesla roadster — the world's first production all-electric car which is being entered by broadband company Internode.The company's managing director Simon Hackett imported the first car to Australia recently.Kia Kia has entered two LPG electric hybrid Fortes, which have a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated to a small electric motor and lithium-polymer batteries — a first for a mass-production small automatic car. Kia says it can return 5.6l/100km.Based on the Cerato, the Kia Forte has the potential to make it to the Australian market next year for less than $30,000. Based on the Cerato The Forte was launched in South Korea in August and displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show last month.NON-PRODUCTION AND EXPERIMENTAL CARS Independent team Deep Green Research has come to the party with an electric Honda.Students from South Australia's Annesley College have built a petrol/electric hybrid Holden Viva. The all-girl Annesley team has taken part in previous solar challenges but this is the first time they have entered the production car class. The students will be driving the car on the 3000km journey.Research and development company Intex is entering a four-cylinder petrol Ford Spectron Van with a retrofit hybrid system that converts the drivetrain to a plug-in hybrid electric.Absent This year Toyota is a notable non-starter after impressing in 2007 with its Prius.And there has been a late scratching with Volvo confirming it was withdrawn its two C30 DRIVe hatchbacks because they are stuck on a ship from Europe, a victim of stormy weather in the Atlantic. Volvo had high expectations for the 1.6-litre diesel which sips a claimed 3.8l/100km. The eco hatch will now be launched in Australia early next year.